Machine for tapering stave stock



Oct. 5, 1937. c. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL 2,094,763

. MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVE STOCK Filed April 22, 1956 '7 Sheets-Sheetl Oct. 5, 1937.

C. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVE STOCK 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1936 7 sheets-sheet's Filed April 22, 1936 C. M.E. WENDNAGEL ETIAL MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVE STOCK Oct. 5, 1937.

wafari' fireafem'i W Oct. 5, 1937- c. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL 2,094,763

MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVE STOCK Filed April 22, 1956' '7 Sheets-Sheet 4Oct. 5 1937. c. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL 4,

MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVE STOCK 7 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed April 22, 1936Oct 5, 1937. c. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL 2,094,763

MACHINE FOR TAPERING STAVEv STOCK Filed April 22, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet! 6Oct. 5, 1937. c. M. E. WENDNAGEL ET AL 2,094,763

MACHINE-FOR TAPERING SEPAVE STOCK Filed April 22, 1956 7 Sheets-Shee t 7Patented Oct. 5, 1937 Charles M. E. Wendnagel and Frederick W.Wendnagcl, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,760

25 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for tapering stavestock and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

By the term stave stock is meant planks, boards or other lumber, fromwhich the staves for wooden tanks, tubs and the like having a batter ortaper toward the top end, are produced.

Such a batter or taper is necessary in'such tanks so that the usualhoops may be applied thereto and then driven downward toward the bottomto draw the staves closer together to produce a tank having a topdiameter and circumference less than the bottom diameter andcircumference.

The standard batter of a tank, is now recognized as being three-quartersof an inch reduction in diameter for each foot in stave height. Thisarbitrary figure or relation has been determined by wooden tankmanufacturers after long years of experience and is accepted as standardin wood tank making.

In order to produce the proper taper for tanks of different sizes,certain factors or dimensions for each tank must first be known, beforeit is possible to ascertain the correct taper of the staves going intothe particular tank to be made. The'factors or dimensions which mustfirst be known are: the outside bottom diameter of the tank; the heightof the tank; the overall length of the staves thereof, and the batter orthe taper of the tank previously mentioned.

From a combination of these factors or dimensions it is possible todetermine the top diameter and circumference as well as the bottomcircumference of the tank. The ratio of said top and bottomcircumferences will, therefore, approximate the ratio of the width ofthe top end of any stave thereof, to the width of the bottom end of saidstave.

With the above in mind, one of the objects of the present invention isto provide a machine for use in connection with a power-driven cuttingmember and a straight line feeding mechanism therefor, whereby stavestock may be presented to said feeding mechanism for feeding past thecutting mechanism at an angle corresponding to the angle of the taper itis desired to give to the stock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for use inconnection with a powerdriven rip saw and which will present theadvancing end of the stave stock at a tapering angle to the straightline feeding mechanism to be gripped and fed thereby through the sawwhich will out the stock to the desired taper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which may beadjusted or set to cut stave stock to the desired taper after the bottomcircumference of the tank and the length of the stock going into thetank is known, and this re gardless of the width of the stave stockoperated upon.

Still another object of the invention is to 'provide a machine of thiskind which includes means for determining the taper to be cut and whichmeans will automatically adjust itself to the proper angular relationwith respect to the center line of the saw for a definite width of stavestock to be out and will maintain said angular relation as the stavestock progresses through the saw.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others,together with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as thespecification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying the preferredform of the invention shown in connection with a conventionalpowerdriven rip saw which it serves; 25

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale,through a part of the machine as taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the two end parts of the machineand a part of the saw feed mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal detail vertical sectional View through a partof the machine, on an enlarged scale, as taken on the line dl of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the parts shown 35 at the left hand endof Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the parts in a differentposition;

Fig. '7 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale of the parts at themid portion of Fig. 3 and which will be more fully referred to later;

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical view on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7 andillustrates more particularly an indicating device for indicating thewidth of the stave stock to be operated upon;

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical sectional view through the indicating deviceof Fig. 8 as taken on the line 9-9 thereof;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale,through one of the guide or fence holding means embodied in the machineas taken on the line [8-40 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged Scal of the fence holdingdog of Fig. 10 and 55 shows more particularly the offsetting of the dogteeth for a finer adjustment therefor;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal detail vertical sectional view through a partof the fence holding mechanism of Fig. as taken on the line |2l2 of saidFig. 10;

Fig. 13 is another longitudinal horizontal sectional view through a partof the machine as taken on the line I3 l3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14 is a detail Vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale,through a part of the machine as taken on the line |4l4 of Fig. 3 andshows more particularly a second indicating device which will be morefully referred to later, and

Fig. 15 is a detail vertical sectional view through the indicatingdevice shown in Fig. 14 as taken on the line i 5-l5 thereof.

As before stated, the improved machine is especially adapted for use inconnection with a straight line power-driven saw and as best shown inFig. 1, the same is a conventional power-driven rip saw indicated as awhole at 28. Such a saw includes a horizontally disposed saw table 2suitably supported upon a frame 22. Mounted in said frame is alongitudinally extending, endless feed belt 23 with its top 'lapsubstantially flush with the top surface of the table. Above the tableis a casing-like saw head 24. In said. head is journalled a rotarycircular saw or disc 25' which may be adjusted vertically toward andaway from the feed belt 23. The head also caries a feed roll 26 at thefront of the circular saw to coact with the belt in feeding the piecesof lumber operated upon in a straight line to said saw. The saw feedbelt andfeed roll are power driven in any suitable manner.

Means are provided which coact with the saw, as a whole, in taperinglumber in the form of stave stock. Said means includes a relatively longstave stock supporting table or platform 2'! which extends rearwardlyfrom the rear end of the saw table 2! and is suitably connected theretoso as to form a flush continuation thereof, The table 2'! is supportedat its intermediate and rear end portions by longitudinally spacedupright le s 28, 29 and 36 respectively.

Preferably the table is made of a metallic plate of suitable dimensionsand at the front side thereof are journalled, transversely extendingloose running rollers or cylinders 3!. By the front side of said tableis meant that side at'which the operator is stationed. The rollers 35!are journalled in suitable brackets 32 secured to the underside of thetable. The top peripheral portion of each roller extends through anassociated opening in the table into a plane slightly above the tabletop as best appears in Fig. 2. These top peripheral portions of saidrollers are adapted to be engaged by the stave stock operated upon assaid stock is moved toward the saw so that said rollers provideantifriction supports for said stock.

Mounted on the table, between the rear side thereof and the rollers 31,is a longitudinal guide member 33 hereinafter termed a fence. stavestock being operated upon is moved in guided relation up against andalong said fence while engaged or supported on the rollers iii. Thisfence is in the form of an angle bar and is so mounted on the table asto be movable later-- ally thereof as a straight line, at a right angleto its length. The angle bar forming said fence is so disposed that itsvertical flange is toward the front thereof and its horizontal flange isat the bottom thereof and extends toward the rear 'the links 4546 Theside of the table. At longitudinally spaced points on the fence, thereare secured to the horizontal flange thereof, transverse extending shoes34 a which engage in transversely extending undercut rooves 35 in thetopsurface of the table 21.

Said shoes are so arranged as to space the fence a short distance abovethe top surface of the table. This reduces the frictional resistance totransverse movement so that such movement is relatively easy.

In the operation of the machine, as when setting the same for operationupon stave stock of different lengths, this fence at one time or theother is moved toward and away from the plane of the saw. Forconvenience, this plane is indi- V cated by a longitudinal line 36 inFig. 3. As before stated the fence 33 is of considerable length and sothat both ends thereof move together at the same speed through the samedistance, the following structure is provided.

At the rear side of and arranged-toward each end of the table 27, arelongitudinally spaced members 37 and 33 respectively, each journalledupon an upright stud, 39 and 46 respectively, fixed on the table. Themember 37 carries upright crank pins M and '42 respectively, and themember 38 carries uprightcrank pins 43 and 44 respectively. The crankpins on each member are arcuately spaced apart about 90. The members 3?and 38 although shown herein as discs and will so be hereinafterreferred to, function as bell crank levers when the crank pins thereofare considered.

The crank pins 4|43 of said discs are connected to the fence'by links45-46 respectively, which normally extend in planes substantiallytransversely of the table. The crank pins 42-44 of said discs areconnected together by a link or rod 4! which normally extendslongitudinally of the table.

It is apparent that when one disc is turned about its axis, the otherdisc, through the link or rod 41 will turn in the same direction withthe same angular velocity because of the equal radii employed betweenthe axis points 39-40 and the pins 42-34. In other words the link or rod4? synchronizes the movement of the discs. When the discs are so turned,it is apparent that will cause the fence to move toward and away fromthe line 36 with a straight line movement.

Turning movement is imparted to the discs manually and themeans thereforis as follows:

Secured to the link' or rod 4! is a collar 48, which appears in Figs. 2and 3. This collar carries a depending stem 49 which engages in alongitudinal slot 50 in the front end of an arm 5| that normally extendstransversely of the table. Said arm 5| is secured at its rear end to astud 52 that is journalled in a suitable boss provided therefor at therear side of the table. Secured to said stud, beneath the tableis anactuating lever indicated as a whole at 53. It is to be noted from Fig.1 that there are two of such levers arranged at longitudinally spacedpoints along the table so asto be'convenient for reaching by theoperator from either of two stations which he may occupy at the front ofsaid table. Said two levers are connected by a link 53a wherebyactuation of one lever produces actuation of the other.

Each lever 53 is supported at its front end by a supporting bar 54secured to the underside of the table, the front end of the leversliding on said bar. Pivoted t0 the front end of each lever as by a pin55, is a lever extension or handle 56. This extension or handle normallyhangs pendently from its pin 55 in substantially the plane of the frontof the table. The pinned end of said handle carries a stop 57? whichwhen the handle is swung upwardly, engages the front end of the leverand prevents it from being swung through and past its horizontalposition. In this position, the handle forms an extension for the lever.

When either lever 53 is swung horizontally in one direction or theother, it will through the associated arm 55 and collar 48 cause a.longitudinal movement of the rod or link ll. This of course, will turnthe discs 3'l--33 and through the links l5iii will cause the fence to bemoved toward or away from the line 3% on the table and which as beforementioned, indicates the plane of the circular saw or disc 25.

In the operation of the machine, after the fence has been adjusted orset to the desired position as will later appear, the stave stock to beoperated upon is placed upon the table, edgewise against the fence. Thisstock is relatively heavy and in placing it upon the table and againstthe fence, it engages the fence with considerable force. Therefore, somemeans is necessary to lock the fence in its adjusted position and in thepresent instance, such means is as follows:

In the top surface of the table, and spaced longitudinally in the samedirection from the associated disc 3'l38, are rectangular openings 53,see Fig. 10, each of which has its greatest dimension arrangedtransversely of the table. In this opening is secured a plate 59 havinginverted V shaped ribs till on its top surface, the ribs extendingtransversely of the plate and longitudinally of the table. The apex endsof said ribs are flush with the top surface of the table.

Secured to the fence in the planes of said ribbed plates are upstandingbrackets 65. Each bracket supports on its rear side, a verticallydisposed solenoid 62 which. includes a downwardly extending corePivotally connected to the rear side of each bracket as at 64 is a setof dogs or pawls having V shaped teeth to engage the ribs iii of theassociated plate so. The teeth of the different pawls or dogs in eachset are relatively offset so that a positive engagement of the teeth ofone dog or pawl in each set will always occur, no matter what therelative positions of the fence may be with respect to the plates 58.

The pawls or dogs in each set are each provided with a slot ii? and apin 6% extends through the slots in all of the pawls or dogs in the set.The ends of said pin are secured in the side arms 69 of a yoke "in, allas best shown in Fig. 12. Thus the respective dogs in each set arecapable of a limited relative floating movement. The mid portion of thecross member ll of said yoke has a universal joint-like link connectionl2 with the core of the associated solenoid. When the solenoid isenergized, it will attract its core and through the yoke ill will liftall dogs or pawls of the set out of engagement with the ribs of theassociated plate. When the solenoid is deepergized, the set of dogs dropby gravity toward and engage the ribs of the plate and the fence 32% islocked to the table against movement toward the rear side thereof. Whenthe solenoid is energized, the fence is unlocked from the table so as tobe movable with respect thereto.

It is of course desired that just previous to the setting or adjustingof the fence, the same be unlocked with respect to the table so that itcan be moved and when thus set or adjusted, it be immediately locked tothe table. A convenient way to accomplish this locking and unlocking ofthe fence in timed relation. to the adjusting of the fence is to hook upthe solenoids with both the lever extensions or handle 55. Thus wheneither handle is actuated, the locking and unlocking of the fence occursin timed relation therewith.

In accordance with the above, there depends from each lever 53 at a.point between its ends, a switch casing '53 including fixed and movablecontacts. The movable contact includes a pivoted arm M at one side ofthe casing and which arm carries a laterally extending pin Said pinengages in longitudinal slot in the rear end of a link E8, the front endof which has a pivotal connection l'S with the associated leverextension or handle 55. A conductor cable leads from each switch casingto both solenoids.

When the handle 56 is in the depending position shown in full lines inFig. 2, the switch it is off so that the solenoids 62 are deenergizedand the pawls 55 are in a position locking the fenc to the table. Whenthe handle 55 is swung into the dotted line position shown in said 2,preparatory to shifting the fence, the link l3 actuates the switch it toits on position. When the switch is this position, the solenoids areenergized and this withdraws the dogs 65 from engagement with the ribbedplates 59 so as to unlock the fence.

On the front end of the fence 33 (the left hand end of the same asappears in Fig. 3) is mounted a casing is which for convenience willhereinafter be referred to as a trigger casing. As shown in Fig. 3, thiscasing includes a suitable cover W which is omitted in the Figs. 4, 5,and 6 better to disclose the mechanism therein,

In casing, near the front side thereof is located a longitudinal shaftthat is journalled at its ends in upstanding bosses 8l82 respectively,rising from the bottom of the casing. On the extremities of this shaftare pinions 83-84 respectively. In the boss 82 is journalled a tubularshaft 85 carrying a spur pinion 85 and a bevel pinion 81']. The bevel psimilar but perpendiculaily arranged pinion also journalled in the bossand which includes a shaft end 89 to removably receive a crank handle96. When the'pinion 88 is turned in one direction or the other, theshaft 86 through the pinions b l -G6 likewise turned or rotated.

The pinion 83 meshes with a pinion 9i on the end of a screw threadedshaft which is so journalled in the boss 85 as to rotate but be heldagainst endwise movement therein. On this shaft is a block 93 havingguided engagement at its sides in a longitudinal slot El i in thecasing. When the shaft $2 is turned in one direction or the other, theblock is caused to move endwise on the shaft because it is held againstturning by its engagement in the slot 95.

95 indicates a plate disposed a slight distance above the block andarranged at a suitable angle to the longitudinal plane of the shafts 83and 92 asbest appears in 5. Fivoted on said plate as at 9%? is a trigger9i. trigger is made as an arcuate shoe 98 concentric with the pivotpoint 93 and on the front end of said shoe a finger or lug $9. The faceof the shoe is suitably roughened as by forming it with verticallydisposed ridges as best appears in The free end of this on ii'l mesheswith a 5. A spring I is arranged between the tri ger and a part fixedwith respect to the plate to swing the trigger rearwardly. The shoenormally extends to the front of the plane of the front face of thefence so as to be engaged by the advancing end of the stave stock movedalong in engagement with the front of the fence toward the saw. Thisengagement offsets the advancing end of the stave stock laterally towardthe front side of the table, just previous to its engagement between thefeed belt 23 and feed roll 26. In the front side of the casing 79 isformed an arcuate slot Edi to receive a pin I32 on the shoe when thetrigger swings to the limit of its clockwise movement under the actionof the stave stock engaged thereagainst when the stock is fed to thesaw. This slot is of such arcuate length as topermit the trigger to moveclockwise tosuch a position to be located entirely within the casing. At

t at time a plate I23 shown in dotted lines in 5, may be inserted intothe casing to block off the tri ger to render it inoperative. Thisfeature is advantageous when it is desired to rip saw lumber in astraight line, using the fence only as a straight line sawing guide.

In the plate 95 between its front and rear edges is a longitudinal slotE9 3 and on the rear edge or" said plate at the ends thereof are bossesI&5Iil5 respectively; J ournalled in said bosses for rotative movementonly, is a threaded, longitudinal shaf 'Iiil'and engaged on said shaftis a traveler block I58. which extends transversely of and overhangs theplate 95 so as to cross the slot tilt therein. This extension carries apin I It which engages the slot and is operatively connected to thetraveller block 53 on the shaft 32 before mentioned.

To that end of the threaded shaft Ill'i journalled in the boss I55 issecured one end of a flexible shaft 6 I I. is secured to one end of astub shaft I I2 that has a splined engagement in the tubular shaft 85before mentioned. Threaded into the other end the stub shaft is one endof a bolt I I3 the other cm. of which has a head I It. An expansion sing H5 surrounds that part of the bolt been said head and a bearingbracket I it in the it. This spring arrangement keeps the role shaftextended and relatively straight and such kinks as may tend to formtherein.

it is apparent that due to the splined connection between the tubularshaft 85 and the stub shaft H2, when the pinion is turned in onedirection or the other, the stub shaft and its associated flexible shaftare likewise turned.

The plate boss I05 has one end of an arm III secured thereto. The otherend of said arm is pivotally connected as at II8 to one end of 'a curvedlink lie (see Fig. 3) the other end of which is pivotally'connected withrespect to the table as at I25.

Mounted on the arm I I1 between the casing link II 9 is an uprightbracket I2! for ng an indicator I22, calibrated to ,co-

the base diameters of tanks with stave stock height and batter thereofas shown by index numbers thereon, for which the machine is capable oftapering stave stock. This indicator includes a segmental casing I23with an arcuate face plate I24 upon which appears spaced calibrations torepresent certain index numbers to coordinate the base diameter withstave stock height or length and batter. Journalled in said casingconcentric with the face plate I2 is a drum I25, 2. spring I26 beinginterposed between This block includes an extension IilQ' The other endof said flexible shaft the drum and casing to normally turn the drum inone direction. A hand or pointer IZ'I is carried by the drum to coactwith the calibrations on the face plate. Oneend of a flexible band I28is wrapped partway around the drum and is then secured thereto and theother end of this band is operatively attached to the traveler blockI08. When said traveler block moves longitudinally of its threaded shaftIll? by reason of the turning of the crank handle iiilthe hand orpointer I2? is caused to move to a position on the face platecorresponding with the position of the block I08 on its shaft.

I35 (see Figs. 7, 8, and 9) denotes a device for indicating the width ofthe stave stock being operated upon. This device is positioned towardthe'rear side of the table near the disc 31. It includes an uprightcasing I3I arranged transversely of the table and arranged to straddlethe link if. At the top'of the casing is a semicircular face plate I32,suitably calibrated to indicate the widths of different stave stock ininches.

A stud I33 is fixed in said casingconcentric with the face plateand'journall'ed thereon is a pinion i A hand or pointer I35 is carriedby said pinion to coact with said face plate. The casing is providedwith a horizontal guideway I36 beneath the pinion and upon which slidesa rack bar 53? that meshes with the bottom side of the pinion. When therack bar is moved longitudinally in'either direction, it is apparentthat the hand will swing with respect to the face plate.

The rack bar I3? is arranged transversely of the table and its rear endhas a pin and slot engagement in the bent end of an arm I 38. This armforms part of a lever I39 which has a Vertical pivotal connection MI]with the table 27. The other arm MI of said lever passes above the disc37 and then has a bend therein to extend under the trigger casing 19.The bent end of said arm has a longitudinal slot I42 therein, in which apin E43 depending from the trigger casing engages.

It is'to'be borne in mind that the usual run of stave stock is of randomwidth. The fence 3?- should be set a distance away from the line 36 ofthe saw, equalling the width of the stock used.

The operator, therefore, grasps one of the handles'56 and swings itupwardly into the position forming an extension of the lever 53. Thisunlocks the fence with respect to the table. The lever 53 is then swungin that direction which will cause the desired movement of the fence,that is, toward or away from the line 35 indicating the plane of thesaw. In this movement of the fence, it will through the pin and slotconnection Vii-M3 with the lever I39, cause said lever to swing aboutits pivot I40. This movement of the lever, through its arm I38 and therack bar I37, will cause the pointer I35 to'swing about the face plateI32. When the pointer I35 reaches that numeral on the face plate whichcorresponds in inches with the width of the stock operated upon, theoperator merely releases the handle or extension. The handle then swingsdownwardly by gravity and operates through the link to move the switch73 to its off position. This deenergizes the solenoids 62 and the pawls55 gravitate into an engagement with the ribbed plate 59. The fence isthen looked to the table 2'5 in the desired position.

The operator then pushes the stave stock now on the table, toward thefence so that one edge thereof engages up against the fence. This v becut for the stave.

should dispose the other edge of the stave stock up to approximately theplane of the line of the saw. The operator then moves the stave stockforwardly along and in parallelism with the fence toward the saw. As thefront end of the stave stock approaches trigger 91 its end engages thefinger 99 as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, and causes the trigger toswing clockwise. The shoe or face of said trigger then moves or offsetsthe advancing or front end of the stave stock away from the fence asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. This disposes the stock at that angleto the fence which corresponds to the angle of the taper to Thislateral'offset movement of the advancing end of the stave stock occursjust before the stock is gripped between the feed roll 26 and feed belt23. The feed roll and belt feeds the stock in a straight line to the sawand as the stock is presented to the saw at an angle to the fencecorresponding to the desired taper, the saw cuts a strip from the frontlateral margin of the stock which is wider at the front end and taperstoward the rear end.

Asthe stock passes through the saw, the tri ger swings into the casing19 out of the way and as the rear end of the stock passes the same, thetrigger snaps back to its original position.

As the trigger casing 19 is fixed with respect to the fence 33, it isapparent that the upstanding bosses 8I-82 in said casing are likewisefixed or immovable with respect to said fence. It is, therefore, evidentthat the block 93 and the pin H9 carried thereby may be definitelyadjusted with respect to the fence by means of the screw 92.

It is to be noted that the pivot I29 for the arm H9 is rigid with thetable 21 so that the points H9 and I 20 are relatively fixed in any oneof the adjustments the fence may have upon the table 21. Therefore, thelinks H9 and III (the latter of which includes the plate 95) which areconnected through the pivot I I8, may be considered as a solid linkconnecting the two points HIl-I29 together.

It is evident that having the three-unit linkage, the same constitutes aconstrained mechanism. In this mechanism, however, so far as the linkageis concerned, the slot I94 in the plate 96 may be considered simply as ahole for 'the affixing of the pin III]. This is true because the blockI98 is threaded upon the screw I91 and because of the parts I95-I96 andthe restraining collars associated therewith. Therefore, the block I98may be considered as fixed in any given setting of the plate 95.Therefore, reasonable working forces in any horizontal direction on theplate 95 cannot cause the same to pivot about the pin H9 because saidplate is a part ,of one link in a three-unit constrained mechanism.

When stave stock engages the trigger 91 it cannot be pushedlongitudinally of itself nor can any compound translational and pivotalmovement of the trigger be produced by the stave stock in its feed tothe saw to disturb or disrupt the set position of the plate 95.

Assume that wider stave stock is to be operated upon. This requires aresetting of the fence to accommodate such wider stock. The operatorknowing the width of the stock operated upon, grasps one of the handles56 and swings it upwardly into a position wherein it forms an extensionof the lever 53 and then swings it laterally until the indicator I35lines up with that calibration numeral on the face plate I32 whichcorresponds to the width of the stock operated upon. In this movement ofsaid lever, the fence is moved rearwardly so that it is spaced from theline of the saw a distance corresponding to the width of the stock. Thischange in width appears in Fig. 6. When the handle 56 is released, thefence is locked in its newly set or adjusted position. In this movementof the fence into its new position, no manual resetting of the trigger9? is necessary because it occurs automatically in the following manner:

In the movement of the fence toward the rear side of the table into itsnew position, the pin I I9 the plate moves rearwar-dly therewith. As thedistance between the points H8 and 96 is less than that between thepoints H8 and H9, the point 99 will not move with so great a velocity asthe point H9. Consequently, in the rearward movement of the fence, thedog is caused to protrude a greater distance beyond the plane of thefront of the fence into the angular position shown in Fig. 6.

Therefore, when the piece of wider stock is moved forward along thefence, its advancing or front end engages the trigger as before to beoffset laterally toward the front of the table 2?, across the line ofthe saw into an angular position with respect to the fence thatcorresponds to the taper to be out. When the stock is grasped by thefeed roll 29 and feed belt 23, it is passed through the saw so that a.tapered strip is removed from one side thereof.

Assume now that it is desired to taper stave stock for a tank having adifferent index number value. This, of course, requires a resetting ofthe trigger so as to cause said trigger to produce a taper, differentfrom that previously produced,

to meet the requirements of taper for the staves of the tank of saiddifferent index number value.

With the base diameter shown, the operator turns the crank handle 99 andthis produces rotation of the threaded shafts 92 and i9? and a movementof the traveler blocks 93 and I98,

thereon. In this movement of said blocks, the pin outwardly beyond theplane of the front face of the fence or retracts it inwardly from saidplane so that the trigger is moved into that position which will offsetthe advancing or front end of the stave stock toward the front of thetable to give it the angle corresponding with the desired taper. In themovement of the traveler blocks, the band 28 will cause movement of theindicator I27. When the indicator reaches that numeral on the face plateI24, corresponding to the index number for the particular tank for whichthe staves are to be made, the crank handle is released. The trigger isnow in a position to provide that taper required in said particulartank.

It is to be noted that the trigger mechanism described serves thepurpose of oifsetting the advancing end of the stave stock, away fromthe side of the table, the trigger is automatically front face of thefence into a new position. This, of course, changes the offset action ofthe trigger when the widerstave stool: approaches the same to give thenecessary tapertherefor. V

The amount of offset action must also be varied with respect to tankproportions, that is, the ratio r ment of the trigger with respect tothe plane of the saw as indicated by the line 3fi, is proportional toand not the same as the movement of the fence. For wider pieces of stavestock, the offset produced by the trigger is greater than that for thenarrower stave stock.

it will be seen that when tank dimensions are known, the machine may beset to taper the stave stock in accordance with said dimensions.

When no taper is desired, as when trimming stave stock for a cylindricaltank requiring no taper, the trigger mechanism may be locked out ofoperation by the use of the plate laid before mentioned. may be adjustedfor different widths of stock and this stock may be fed-to the saw in aplane parallel with the fence and the line of cut of the saw. V

While in describing the invention, we have referred in detail to theform,'arrangement and construction of th various parts thereof, the sameis to be considered only inthe illustrative sense so that we do not wishto be limited thereto except as may be specifically pointed out in theappended claims.

We claimas our invention: 7

1. In combination with a power-driven cutting member and means forfeedin stave stock thereto in a straight line, a stock supporting table,

cluding a set of toothed dogs movable with said,

laterally adjustable means and coacting parts on said table with whichsaid dogs are adapted to engage and disengage.

2. In combination with a power-driven cutting member and means for.feeding stave stock thereto in a straight line, a, stock supporting.table,

means mounted on said table for a lateral adjustable movement toward andaway from the plane of said line for engagement by the stock to betapered for guiding the same to said feedving means at an anglecorresponding to the angle of the taper to be given the stock, meanscarried by said first mentioned means and normally engaging parts of thetable for locking the first 'mentioned means thereto, manually operablemeans connected to said first mentioned means for imparting said lateraladjustable movement thereto, and electrical'means mounted on the meanson the table and controlled by said man- 7 Under such conditions, thefence paused to protrude a greater distance from the ually operablemeans for releasingsaid locking means. V V

3, In combinationwith a power-driven cutting member and means forfeeding stave stock there: to in a'straight line; a stock supportingtable,

' a fence mounted: thereon for lateral movement toward and away from theplane of said line and adapted for engagement by the stock to be taperedin guiding the same toward said feeding means, means supported by thefence when the fence is in one position on the table for stave stock ofone width and adapted for engagement by the advancing end of the stavestock as it approaches said feeding means for'moving said end laterallyaway from the fence into one angular position corresponding to the angle'to be given said stave stock of one Width, and means operating on saidmeans supported by the fence as thesame moves into another position onthe table to accommodate stock ofanother width, for imparting adifferent amount of lateral movement to the advancing end of said stockto move the same into a different angular position corresponding to theangle ofthe taperto'be given said stock of diiferent width.

4. In connection with a power-driven cutting member and means forfeeding stave stock thereto in a straight line, a stock supportingtable, a fence mounted thereon for lateral movement to- Ward and awayfrom the plane'of said line and adapted for engagement by the stock tobe tapered for guiding the same toward said feeding means, a :membersupported by said fence but capable of a lateral independent movementwith respect to the plane of the front face of the fence and adapted forengagement by the 'advancing end of the stock as it approaches saidfeeding means for moving said end laterally away from the fence into anangular position corresponding to the angle of the taper to be given thestock, and means for projecting and retracting said member with respectto thefence, independent of the lateral movement of the fence for movingthe advancing endjof the stave stock into a di'iierent angular positionwith respect to the fenceand which corresponds to a dilferent angleoftaperto be given the stock.

r f '5'; In combination with a-poiver-driven cutting member and meansfor feeding'stave stock'thereto in a straight line, a stock supportingtable, a fence mounted thereonfor lateral movement toward andaway fromthe plane of said line and adapted for engagement by the stock to betapered for guiding the same toward said feeding means, 'a'mem'berpivctally mounted on the fence and adapted for engagement by theadvancing end of the stave stock as it approaches said feeding means:for movingsaid endrlaterally away from the fence into an angularposition corresponding to the angle of taper to be given the stock, andmeans for moving the pivotal axis of said member toward or away from theplane of the "face of said fence, independent or" the lateral movement'of the fenceso that said member'in its engagement'by the advancing endof the stave stock moves said'stock into a different angleof taper to begiven the stock. a a Q 6. In a. machine of the kind described, stockcutting means, a fence, a pivotally mounted memthe fence toward thestock cutting means for de-r fleeting said advancing end into thedesired angle as said end approaches the stock cutting means,

and means for changing the position of the axis of said member withrespect to the plane of said face of the fence.

'7. In a machine of the kind described, a fence, a plate member, meansproviding a movable pivot for said plate member with respect to thefence, and a trigger pivoted on said plate so as to have a portionproject beyond the plane of the face of said fence.

8. In a machine of the kind described, a fence, a plate member movabletoward and away from said fence, a pivot for said plate member, a pairof rotatable threaded shafts, means for rotating said shaftssimultaneously, traveler blocks on said shafts and operatively engagedwith the pivot for the plate member so as to change the position of saidpivot with respect to the fence, and a trigger pivoted on said platemember and having a portion projecting beyond the plane of the face ofsaid fence.

9. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on saidsupport adapted to be set to position different widths of stock withrespect to the plane of said cutting means, said last mentioned meansincluding mechanism for arranging the stock at a certain angle, saidmechanism being operated by said stock positioning means in the settingthereof for a piece of stock of certain width to arrange said piece ofstock at that taper angle to said plane as required by its width forsaid batter.

10. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on saidsupport adapted to be set to position different widths of stock withrespect to the plane of said cutting means, a member pivotally mountedwith respect to said positioning means, and means connecting saidpositioning means and said pivotally mounted member whereby the settingof said positioning means will vary the setting of said member tooperate in each setting of said positioning means to move the piece ofstock operated upon into that taper angle required by its width for saidbatter.

11. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on saidsupport adapted to be set to position different widths of stock withrespect to the plane of said cutting means, a pivoted member movablewith said po sitioning means, and mechanism connecting to said memberand said positioning means and operating when said positioning means isset for a certain width of stock to cause said pivoted member to movesaid piece of stock operated upon into that taper angle required by itswidth for said batter.

12. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on saidsupport adapted to be set to position different widths of stock withrespect to the plane of said cutting means, stock end engageable meansand means operatively connecting the same to said last mentioned means,said stock end engageable means in each setting of said positioningmeans operating through said connecting means to move the piece of stockoperated upon into that taper angle to said plane as required by itswidth for said batter, and means for moving said stool: and said cuttingmeans relative to each other while maintaining said taper angle for saidpiece of stock.

13. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means onsupport and arranged substantially parallel with the plane of thecutting means and movable toward and away from said plane to positiondifferent widths of stock with respect to said plane, stock endengageable means and means operatively connecting the same to said lastmentioned means, said stock end engageable means when said stockpositioning means is moved toward or away from said plane for a certainwidth of stock, operating through said connecting means to move thepiece of stock operated upon into that taper angle to said plane asrequired by its width for said batter.

14. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on saidsupport and arranged substantially parallel with the plane of thecutting means and movable toward and away from said plane to positiondifferent widths of stock with respect to said plane, mechanismassociated with said positioning means and including a member projectinginto the path of the piece of stock moved along said positioning meanstoward the stock cuttin means, and means connecting said stockpositioning means and said mechanism for moving said member into aposition that causes said piece of stock as it engages the same to moveinto that taper angle to said plane as required by the width of saidpiece of stock for said batter.

15. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, means on. saidsupport and arranged substantially parallel with the plane of thecutting means and movable toward and away from said plane to positiondifferent widths of stock with respect to said plane. a member pivotallymounted with respect to said positioning means, and means connectingsaid positioning means and said member whereby the setting of'saidpositioning means will vary the setting of said member, to move saidpiece of stock into that taper angle to said plane as required by itswidth for said batter.

16. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, a fencearranged on said support parallel with the plane of said cutting means,coacting means on said support and fence respectively, providing aguided movement of said fence toward and away from said plane insubstantial parallelism therewith, manually operable means associatedwith said support for imparting movement to said fence toward and awayfrom said plane, mechanism as-' sociated with said fence for arrangingthe stock at a certain angle with respect to said fence, and meansconnecting said fence and said mechanism and operating said mechanism assaid fence is moved toward or away from said plane to position a certainwidth of stock with respect to said plane, to move said piece of stockinto that taper angle to said plane as required by the width thereof forsaid batter.

17. A machine for cutting stave steel: for tanks having a batter, saidmachine comprising a stock support, stock cutting means, a fencearranged on said support parallel with the plane of said cutting means,coacting means on said support and fence respectively, providing aguided movement of said fence toward and away from said plane insubstantial parallelism therewith, manually operable means associatedwith said support for imparting movement to said fence to- Ward and awayfrom said plane, means operable in timed relation with said manuallyoperable means for unlocking and locking the fence with respect to thesupport, mechanism associated with said fence for arranging the stock ata certain angle with respect to said fence, and means connecting saidfence and said mechanism and operating the latter as said fence is movedtoward or away from said plane to position a certain width of stock withrespect to said plane, to move said piece of stock into that taper angleto said plane as required by the width thereof for said batter.

18. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks having a batter,saidmachine comprising a stock,

support, stock cutting means, a fence arranged'on said support parallelwith the plane of said cutting means, coacting means on said support andfence respectively, providing a guided movement of said fence toward andaway from said plane in substantial parallelism therewith, manuallyoperable means associated with said support for imparting movement tosaid fence toward and away from said plane, pivoted means movable withsaid fence for arranging the stock at a certain angle with respect tosaid fence, and means connecting said fence and said pivoted means and.operating the latter as said fence is moved toward or away from saidplane to position a certain width of stock with respect to said plane,to move said piece of stock into that taper angle to said plane asrequired by the width thereof for said batter.

19. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heights andend diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport, stock cutting means, means on said support adapted to be set toposition different widths of stock with respect to the plane of saidcutting means, means associated with said positioning means and adaptedto be set to produce that taper angle for the piece of stock operatedupon, with respect to said plane as required by the heightand anddiameter of the tank being made so that said angle will accord with saidbatter, and means connecting said positioning means and said meansassociated therewith to actuate the'latter when said stock positioningmeans has been moved into the desired position on said support.

20. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heights andend diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport, stock cutting means, means on said support adapted to be set toposition. diiferent widths of stock with respect to the plane of saidcutting means, means associated with said positioning means andincluding a member carried thereby and adapted to be set to produce thattaper angle for the piece of stock operated upon, with respect to saidplane as required by the height and end,

diameter of the tank being made so that said angle will accord with saidbatter, and means operatively connecting said stock positioning meansand said last mentioned means'to actuate said member when said stockpositioning means has been set for a different Width of stock, to movethe piece of stock operated'upon into that taper angle to said planerequired by its width for said batter.

21. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heights andend diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport, stock" cutting" means, means on said support adapted to be setto position different widths of stock with respect to the plane of saidcutting m ans and means associated with said positioning means andadapted to be set to produce that taper angle for the piece of stockoperated upon with respect to said plane as required by the height anddiameter of the tank being made so that said angle will accord with saidbatter, means operatively connecting, said stock positioning means andsaid last mentioned means to actuate the latter when said positioningmeans has been set for a different width of stock to move the piece ofstock operated upon into that taper angle to said plane required by thewidth of said stock for said batter, and a gauge having matter thereonrepresenting certain index values as to height and end diameters ofcertain tanks, said gauge including a part connected to saidmeansassociated with said positioning meansfor visibly indicating the indexvalue of the setting of said means associated with said positioningmeans.

22. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heights anddiameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stock support,stock cutting means, a fence on said support parallel with the plane ofsaid cutting means and movable toward and away from the same to positiondifferent widths of stock with respect to said plane, means associatedwith the fence and adapted to be set to produce that taper angle for thepiece of stock operated upon with respect to said plane as required bythe height and end diameter of the tank being made so that said taperangle will accord with said batter, and means for conn cting saidsettable means to said fence and operating as said fence is moved fromone position to another for varying the setting of said settable meansto coordinate the same with the position of the fence.

23. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks .of different heightsand diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport,

diameter of the tank being made so that said taper angle will accordwith said batter, said set table means including a member adapted forengagern'ent by the piece of stock'as it moves along the fence and meansfor connecting said member to. said fence and operating as said fence ismoved from one position to another for varying the position of saidmember to move the piece of stock operated upon into that angle to saidplane as required by its width for said batter.

24. "A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heightsand end diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport, a cutting means, means on said support adapted to be set toposition different widths of stock with respect to the plane of saidcutting means, settable means associated with said positioning means foroffsetting one end of the piece of stock operated upon to move saidpiece of stock into that taper angle with respect to said plane asrequired by the height and diameter of the tank being table means isvaried with the setting of the positioning means and means for feedingsaid piece of stock to said cutting means in a straight line whilemaintaining said taper angle.

25. A machine for cutting stave stock for tanks of different heights andend diameters and having a batter, said machine comprising a stocksupport, a cutting means, means on said support adapted to be set toposition different widths of stock with respect to the plane of saidcutting means, settable means associated with said positioning means foroffsetting one end of the piece of stock operated upon to move saidpiece of stock into that taper angle with respect to said plane asrequired by the height and diameter of the tank being made so that saidtaper angle will accord with said batter, means connecting saidpositioning means and said settable means so that said ,settable meansis varied with the setting of the positioning means, andmeans forfeeding said piece of stock to said cutting means in a straight linewhile maintaining said taper angle, said settable means when said stockpositioning means has been set for a difierent width of stock, operatingthrough said connecting means to move the piece of stock operated uponinto that angle to said plane as required by its width for said batter.

CHARLES M. E. WENDNAGEL. FREDERICK W. WENDNAGEL.

